
GV 1282 
.3 

. B745 
Copy 1 


SIMPLIFIED 


HAKDBOOK 


CONTRACT BRIDGE BIDDIHF 





















Simplified Hand Book 


TO 

Contract Bridge Bidding 


A DIGEST OF 

The New Standardized 
Official System of Contract Bridge 
Including the One-Over-One 

The Coordinated Theories of Sixteen Experts 

Sponsored and Approved by Bridge Headquarters 

ARRANGED BY 
EARLE ;F. BRIDGES 

HARLOW PUBLISHING COMPANY 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

c 








•otSQt "A'Vi 


FOREWORD 


i 


When, toward the end of the year 1931, there appeared a book on Contract Bridge bidding 
sponsored by a large group of foremost authorities, the writer prepared for his own use a digest 
of that book. 

Many requests for a copy of the digest were made by those who saw it. Bridge headquarters 
approved it and granted permission for its copyright and distribution. 

This digest of the New Standardized Official System of Contract Bridge including the 
One-Over-One, published in the fall of 1932, briefs for instant reference the text of that work 
except as follows: 

1. Sequence of subjects is slightly different, adhering to the arrangement in the 1931 
book. 

2. As the digest is arranged primarily for instant reference on bidding, the writer omitted 
those parts of the book devoted to The Psychological Factor of Bridge, Duplicate in the Home, 
The Laws of Contract Bridge and Glossary of terms used in contract bridge. 

3. Page 13, Penalty Double—The last two lines under this head are those of the writer 
and are not found in the text. 

4. Page 16, shows a Justifiable Overbidding Table worked out by the writer and based 
on the scoring of the new laws of contract, effective November 1, 1932. It is not the table 
shown in the text. 

5. Page 25, shows certain Defensive Code matter not found in the text. 

6. Page 26, Scoring—while the new laws of contract have little to do with a bidding 
system, except in the matter of justifiable overbidding, (see change noted on Page 16), it is 
of course necessary for this digest to show, as it does, the New Scoring, effective Nov. 1, 1932, 
instead of the old scoring shown in the text published, a.few weeks before the new laws of con¬ 
tract became effective. 

Otherwise the digest is faithful to the text. 





No matter what bidding system you prefer, remember that this digest covers the coor¬ 
dinated theories of many experts. 

The text lists as authors who have contributed to the Official System the following: 
(arranged in alphabetical order). 

CHARLES TRUE ADAMS—SHEPARD BARCLAY—R. M. BRANNON 
F. DUDLEY COURTENAY—ELY CULBERTSON—LEONARD P. 
GRACY—F. L. HOLMES—HENRY P. JAEGER—WINFIELD LIG¬ 
GETT, Jr.—Mrs. GUY PURDY—E. V. SHEPARD—VICTOR R. SMITH 
WILBUR C. WHITEHEAD—EDWARD C. WOLFE—MILTON C. WORK 
WALTER F. WYMAN. 

Acquiring the information it contains will probably improve your game and add im¬ 
measurably to your own and your partners pleasure in playing. It may also help to make you 
a desirable partner for good players. 

November 5, 1932 Earle F. Bridges 


INDEX 


Hand Valuations -----. 

Bidding to the Score .....-. 

Opening Bids of One — Choice of Two Biddable Suits— —. 

Opening Bids of Two—Three — Four and Five . . . 

Overcalls—Defensive- ---. 

Overcalls—Attacking --- ---.-. 

Responses to Original Bids of One --—-. 

Game-Demand — Take-outs --—.—.-.. 

Responses to Original Bids of Two. ..—---- 

Responses to Original Bids of Three — Four and Five.— .-. 

Responses to Informatory Double - - ---. 

Rebidding ....** 

Penalty Double—Penalty Pass — S O S Redouble. ... 

Slam Bidding—Psychic Bidding .... - .-. 

Two Club Convention .—-.- .-. - 

Justifiable Overbidding Table.... ..— -. -.- 

Forcing Two Bid—Responses-Optional as advocated by Culbertson. 
Effect of Forcing Two Bid’on Opening Bid of One . -. — . 

One-Over-One Conventions -----. 

Leads — Partner NOT having Bid - - —- 

Leads—Partner HAVING Bid .... 

Code of the Defense (The Universal Language of Whist) —. 

Scoring at Contract Bridge.. . . 


p. 

1-2 

p. 

2 

p. 

3 

p. 

4 

p. 

5 

p. 

5-6 

p. 

7-8 

p. 

8 

p. 

9 

p. 

10 

p. 

11 

.p. 

12 

.p. 

13 

.p. 

14 

.p. 

15-16 

p. 

16 

.p. 

17 

.p. 

18 

.p. 

19-20 

.p. 

21-22 

p. 

23-24 

.p. 

25 

.p. 

26 

























Abbreviations: HCT = High Card (Honor) Tricks. LCT = Low Card (end Card) tricks. 

PT= Probable (Playing) tricks equals HCT+LCT(+ruffed tr. in assist hd.) 


SUIT BIDS—VALUES 
Original Bidding Hand 


A-K-Q 

3 HCT 

A-K-J 

” 

A-K 

A-Q-J 

K-Q-J 

2 ” 

A-Q 1 

K-Q-10 

A-J-10 ! 

> u •• 

A 1 

K-Q 

K-J-10 

K&zQof 

different 

1 ” 

>■ 

suits J 


K-x , 

Q-J-x 

2 Guarded Q s ' 

i 1 " 


Each card of bid suit in excess of 
three_1 LCT 

For each card in excess of 3 in bid¬ 
dable side suit of 5 or more provided 
there is 3| HCT in hand—count for 
each one 1 LCT 


(1) 


SUIT BIDS—VALUES 
Assisting Hand 


( 2 ) 


Values in Bid Suit: 

A, K or Q, each 

1 HCT 

x-x-x-x-x or more 

1 PT 

If 5 or more, Ace Top, in add. 

h PT 

If 5 or more with 2 or 3 top Hn. 

1 PT 

J-10-x or x-x-x-x 

* PT 

Values in side Suits: 

Same HCT value as in original hand, except; 
A-Q-J 2\ HCT 

K-J-10 

K-Q-x 

1* ” 

K-J-x 

1 


( 3 ) 


Ruffing Values: 

Holding 3 cards of bid suit count, 

Void 2 PT 

Singleton 1 

Doubleton ^ 

Holding 4 or more of bid suit add % PT to 
these values. 






















NO TRUMP BIDS 

Bidding Hand Values: 

A-4, K-3, Q-2, J-l; (two 10’s 1, except on Slam bids and only when shading hand). 

Assisting Hand Values: 

Same as for bidding hand values, except add 1 PT for each one of three top honors of 
five card suit. However this additional value should not be counted when bidding 
slam. 

BIDDING TO THE SCORE: (Always watch it) 

1. With part score: 

(a) less than game bid must be as sound as if there were no part score. 

(b) bid of exactly enough for game indicates effort to get game as cheaply as possible. 

(c) bid of more than enough for game means only an invitation for slam. 

(d) any bid above 1 should unhesitatingly be made. 

2. When Adversaries have part score: 

(a) Original bids of 1 should be with values slightly above minimums. 

(b) Original bids of 1 by 3rd or 4th hands should be with strong defense values. 

(c) 4th hand holding minimum defense values, if he bids at all, should be able to 
rebid if adversaries enter the bidding. 

(d) 4th hand holding 1^ HCT and 4 PT should overcall uncontested dealers bid of 
enough for game. If holding 5 to 6 PT may even overcall bid of 3. 

(e) 4th hand should be careful about bidding after uncontested less than game bid 
by dealer. 


OPENING SUIT BID OF ONE—1st or 2nd Hand: 

(a) 4 card suit with 1^ HCT in bid suit—total 2\ HCT and 4 PT in all. 

(b) 5 card suit with | HCT in bid suit—total HCT and 4 PT in all. 

(c) 5 card or more with No HCT in bid suit—total 4| HCT (RARE) 

OPENING SUIT BID OF ONE—3rd or 4th Hand: 

Minimum holdings are, with strength in at least two suits with no short and weak 
Major—3 HCT with a total of 5 PT. 

OPENING BID OF ONE NO TRUMP: 

(a) No singleton or worthless doubleton, except possibly an Ace singleton or with 
3 Aces and a King in other three suits. 

(b) Hand should contain no sound Major bid. 

(c) Stoppers in at least 3 suits. Then, 

Dealer bids One counting 13 
2nd Hd bids One counting 12 
3rd Hd bids One counting 14 

4th Hd bids One counting 15, only with protection in both Majors. 

CHOICE OF TWO BIDDABLE SUITS: 

(a) Suits of equal length or 5-4 distribution—Bid very strong 4 card suit or Minor 
in preference to weaker 5 card suit or Major. 

(b) With 6-4 distribution—Bid the longer suit. 

CHOICE OF SUIT OR NO TRUMP: 

Strong 5 card biddable suit or sufficient No Trump count, bid the suit. 


OPENING SUIT BID OF TWO—INVITATIONAL—ANY HAND: 

6 PT with 4 or more HCT) Bid 2 on a hand on which you would bid 2 NT 

6? PT with 3? HCT> or except for the fact that a suit bid seems better. 

7 to 8 PT with 3 HCT) Such hand will contain 5 HCT. 

OPENING NO TRUMP BID OF TWO—INVITATIONAL—ANY HAND: 

Requires count of 17 with all 4 suits stopped. (Hazardous) 

May bid with count of 19 and only 3 suits stopped provided unstopped suit has min¬ 
imum of J-x or x-x-x. 

Choice: If hand contains good biddable suit and required NT count, usually better to 
bid the suit. 

OPENING SUIT BID OF THREE—ANY HAND: (Rare) 

(a) Must have long strong preferred trump suit with at least five sure trump tricks- 

(b) Must have some outside honor strength, preferably an Ace or A-K, and 

(c) There should be at least 8 PT in the hand. 

Note: Minor bid of three should indicate a solid trump suit and extends invitation to 
partner to bid No Trump. (Rare) 

OPENING NO TRUMP BID OF THREE—POSSIBLE SLAM INVITATION: 

Requires minimum count of 21 with all 4 suits stopped. 

OPENING SUIT BID OF FOUR PRE-EMPTIVE—Major or Minor— Requires 8 PT. 

OPENING SUIT BID OF FIVE PRE-EMPTIVE—Minor —Requires 9 PT. 

Note:—Pre-emptive bids suited to hands with no defensive value. 

Requirements are flexible subject to score and temperaments. 

They are strategical bids. 



OVERCALLS—DEFENSIVE: 

Overcall with suit bid of One holding, 

(a) biddable 4 card suit, 4^ PT with 2 HCT 

(b) biddable 5 card suit, 4 PT with 1 \ HCT 

Overcall with suit bid of Two holding, 

(a) Not Vulnerable, fair 5 card suit, 4 to 5 PT with 2 HCT. 

(b) If Vulnerable, suit must be strong, like A-Q-J-8-6. 

Overcall with suit bid of Three holding, 

(a) Not Vulnerable, about 6 PT. 

(b) If Vulnerable, about 7 PT. (Hazardous). 

Note: With Vul. adversaries, shade above requirements for a possible loss. 

OVERCALLS—ATTACKING (Note six kinds). 

1. Informative Double: 

(Definition of) (a) made at first opportunity to double. 

(b) Must not double more than 3 in suit or 1 No Trump. 

(c) Partner must not have bid or doubled. 

May double 1 of suit bid or No Trump holding HCT or count of 15. 

May double 2 of suit bid holding 4 HCT. 

May double 3 of suit bid holding 4| HCT. 

2. Overcalling ^opponents suit bid—Is a Game Demand with slam possible. 

On subsequent round of bidding, shows strong suit you are willing to play. 

Should contain at least 4 HCT together with absolute control of opponents suit; may 
be a void in the suit, a singleton Ace, A-K or A-Q. It is a colossal informative 
double calling for partner’s best suit. 

Bidding must be kept open until at least a game bid is reached. 

(continued on P. 6.) 


OVERGALLS—ATTACKING: (Continued from P. 5) 

3. Jump Overcall (One more than necessary) 

Note —Do Not confuse with Jump Shift Take-out. 

Make a J ump Overcall holding, 7 PT with 3 HCT or 

6\ PT with 3| HCT or 
6 PT with 4 HCT 

4. Overcall with Bid of One No Trump: 

(a) against suit bid if holding two stoppers in the bid suit and with at least as much 
No Trump count as would be necessary for original bid of One No Trump at 
that table position. 

(b) Overcall of 4 No Trump over pre-emptive 4 bid by opponents is a colossal in- 
formatory double. Guarantees support in other three suits and No Trump count 
of 21 in three balanced suits. 

(c) Overcall of 3 No Trump over opponents opening suit bid of 3 is an informatory 
double requiring partner to bid his best suit. 

Guarantees support in other three suits with No Trump count of 21 in three 
balanced suits. 

5. 4th hand overcall of, 

(a) less than game bid by dealer after passes by 2nd and 3rd hand tells partner 
that hand is strong enough to prevent opponents game. 

Should contain strength in at least two suits, no short and weak Major, and 
5 to 6 PT, with 3 \ HCT. 

(b) 4th hand overcall of original One No Trump by dealer requires slightly les s 
strength than if suit had been bid—about 5 PT with 3 HCT. 

6. Pre-emptive overcall of Four and Five: 

Must hold same strength as is required for original pre-emptive bids. 


RESPONSES TO ORIGINAL BIDS OF ONE: 

Note—Inadequate Support = a Void; a Singleton; a Doubleton without high Honor. 
Neutral Support =A-x; K-x; Q-J; or x-x-x. 

Adequate Support = A-x-x; K-x-x; Q-x-x; or x-x-x-x. 

ASSIST OF SUIT BIDS: 

Do Not assist on inadequate support unless it be an original bid of 4 or 5, or unless 
after a second rebid. With no intervening bid refuse a first round assist if lacking 
adequate support. 


WITH ADEQUATE SUPPORT: 

Raise One with 1>\ PT, even without any HCT 


Raise One with 3 PT, including 
Raise One with only 

Raise Two holding 
Raise Three holding 
Raise Four holding 


1 HCT 
1\ HCT 

4 PT 

5 PT 

6 PT, Minor only. 


May make these raises on neutral 
support only if original bidder has 
rebid his suit. 


ASSIST OF NO TRUMP BIDS: 

Bid 2 No Trump with combined count of 22. 

Bid 3 No Trump with combined count of 24. 

/"Dealer, 13—partner with 9 bids 2 NT; with 11 bids 3 NT. 

)lnd Hd, 12—partner with 10 bids 2 NT; with 12 bids 3 NT. 

Count )3rd Hd, 14—partner with 8 bids 2 NT; with 10 bids 3 NT. 

Uth Hd. 15—partner with 7 bids 2 NT; with 9 bids 3 NT. 


TAKE-OUTS OF SUIT BID WITH ANOTHER SUIT BID: 

(a) with no intervening bid and lacking adequate support, take-out with a 4 card 
biddable suit and 2 HCT; 5 card biddable suit with \\ HCT; with a suit of 6 or 
more cards, not necessarily biddable, with 1 HCT. 

(b) with an intervening bid do not be afraid to bid according to values in your hand. 
Note—with adequate support, frequently an assist is better than take-out. 

(continued P. 8) 





RESPONSES TO ORIGINAL BIDS OF ONE: (Continued from P. 7) 


TAKE-OUTS OF ORIGINAL NO TRUMP BID OF ONE WITH SUIT BID OF TWO: 

(a) with biddable 5 card Major holding \ \ HCT or comb. NT count of 22. 

(b) with Any 6 card Major 

(c) with Any 5 card Minor with all strength in that suit if holding 1^ HCT. 

(d) with Any 7 card Minor (see “Rebidding” for response to these take-outs) 

TAKE-OUTS OF SUIT BID OF ONE WITH A NO TRUMP BID—No Intervening Bid: 

Bid 1 NT with count of 6 and 3 suits stopped or count of 7 and 2 suits stopped. 
Bid 2 NT with count of 11 and 3 suits stopped or count of 13 and 2 suits stopped. 
Bid 3 NT with count of 15 and 3 suits stopped or count of 17 and 2 suits stopped. 

With Intervening Bid: 

Should have two stoppers in adverse suit. If holding only one stopper must have 
added strength in two or more suits. 

GAME DEMAND—TAKE-OUTS: 

(a) Must hold a biddable suit. 

(b) With adequate trump support must hold HCT in two suits other than bid suit. 
Otherwise hold 3§ HCT. 

(c) If in response to original bid of 1 No Trump, hand must supply holdings for a 
combined No Trump count of 24. 


RESPONSES TO ORIGINAL BIDS OF TWO: 


ASSIST IN SUIT BIDS: 

(a) Raise to 3 with 2 PT or with PT, if with 1HCT. 

(b) Hold one additional PT for each additional raise. 

(c) Ordinarily do not raise from 2 to 4 unless assisting original suit bid, as partner 
will rebid. 

ASSIST IN NO TRUMP BIDS: 

(a) Raise to 3 with an Ace and any other count. 

(b) Raise to 3 with a King and Queen in same or different suits. 

(c) Raise to 3 with any count of 6. 

TAKE-OUTS OF SUIT BID TO ANOTHER SUIT BID: 

With a biddable suit and 1| HCT. 

Note—Shade slightly if necessary to keep bidding open. 

Ordinarily, assist with adequate support. 

TAKE-OUT OF SUIT BID WITH TWO NO TRUMP: 

Lacking an assist or biddable suit but holding a count of 6 in at least two suits. 

TAKE-OUT OF ORIGINAL TWO NO TRUMP BID: 

Bid 3 holding any 6 card suit or 5 card Major if topped by at least 1^ HCT. 

Note—Lacking a 6 card suit or such 5 card Major, but with a No Trump count of 6 in 
at least two suits, assist the No Trump rather than take-out with a weak 5 
card suit. 











RESPONSES TO ORIGINAL BIDS OF THREE: 

ASSISTS: 

Raise a Major bid to 4 with 1 PT, with or without trump support. 

RESPONSES TO OPENING BID OF THREE NO TRUMP: 

ASSISTS: 

(a) Without counting two tens as 1 and without counting extra for top honors in 
5 card suits, if hand contains a count of 9, or more, bid 4 No Trump —(Slam 
Invitation) 

TAKE-OUTS OF OPENING BID OF THREE NO TRUMP: (Rare) 

(a) Bid 4 in Major suit of 6 or more cards. 

(b) Bid 5 in Minor suit of 7 or more cards. 

RESPONSES TO PRE-EMPTIVE BIDS OF FOUR AND FIVE: 

(a) Raise from 4 to 5 in Minor with 3 PT. 

(b) Raise from 4 to 5 in Major (only if adversaries overcall) with 3 PT. 


RESPONSES TO INFORMATORY DOUBLE—(No intervening bid): 

MINIMUM RESPONSES: 

(a) Best bid is usually lowest possible in longest suit—Bid 4 card Major rather than 
5 card Minor. 

(b) With 2 stoppers in suit bid, call 1 No Trump. 

STRENGTH RESPONSES—(No intervening bid): 

(a) Make Jump bid holding 4 card suit and 2\ HCT. 

(b) Make Jump bid holding 5 card suit and 2 HCT. 

(c) With 2 stoppers in adverse suit and count of 8, bid 2 No Trump. 

REACTION OF THIRD HAND TO DOUBLE: 

(a) Holding fair strength, should cut in with a bid. 

(b) Holding at least 2\ HCT, third hand should Re-Double. 

RESPONSE TO INFORMATORY DOUBLE AFTER RE-DOUBLE BY 3rd HAND: 

Bid any biddable 4 or 5 card suit, or lacking these, any 6 card suit. 

Lacking any such, Pass, and let partner rescue himself. 

RESPONSE AFTER INTERVENING BID: 

4th hand should bid a strong unbid suit—Otherwise, Pass 



REBIDS—SUIT: 

(a) After Assist from Partner: 

(1) Revalue tenace honor holdings, counting support value. 

(2) Rebid once for each trick in excess of requirements for original bid. 

Bid extra | trick as if it were 1 trick. 

Do Not rebid 4 card suit unless partner shows adequate support. 

(b) After No Assist from Partner: 

Do Not rebid original suit with less than 6 PT. 

If holding another suit to show, it may be bid on shaded requirements. 

(c) After Take-out by Partner: 

(1) Rebid original suit only if holding very strong 5 qard suit, or better. 

(2) Show any other strong biddable suit, especially a Major. 

(3) Holding trump support for take-out, raise one for each trick in hand in excess 
of number of tricks required for original bid. 

(4) Without intervening bid must respond to Jump-Shift Take-out. 

Should always respond if possible after intervening bid. 

(d) Game-Demand Rebid (one more than needed to overcall partner's bid): 

May be in suit bid originally, or an unbid suit. Requires strength of about 5 
to 6 PT; just under requirements for original bid of 2. 

REBIDS—NO TRUMP: 

(a) After assist from partner, bid 3 NT with excess count of 2. 

(b) With no assist from partner and adverse bid, Pass. 

(c) After take-out by partner: 

(1) May rebid 2 No Trump with excess count of 2, or 

(2) May support take-out. 

(3) Must not rebid a second time in NT if partner rebids his take-out. 

That ends the bidding. 


PENALTY DOUBLE: 

Definition (1) Any double of 2 No Trump or 4 of a suit bid. 

(2) Any double after partner has bid or doubled. 

(3) Any double after a pass or bid when partner had opportunity to double. 
Do Not make only when advantage in score is probable. 

Note—Rubber = approximately 1000. 

Part score worth about 100 more than actual score. 

1st Game of Rubber = Approximately 450. 

2nd Game of Rubber = Approximately 550. 

Safest when you and partner are both bidding. Count only quick tricks for defensive 
values, as A-K, 2; A-Q, 1|; Ace, 1; K-Q, 1; K-x, 

Each HCT held will probably take one actual trick. 

At No Trump, doubler should hold count of four plus for each needed trick. 

SOS RE-DOUBLE: 

This follows a Penalty Pass by partner of doubler. It is made by the original bidder 
who is doubled by adversary and calls for partner to bid his best suit. Thus, heavy 
loss may be averted if partner holds a 5 card suit. 

PENALTY PASS: 

Is made by partner of informative doubler when holding a hand so powerful that a 
greater gain can be made by defeating opponents contract than would be possible 
from playing the hand at any declaration. 






SLAM BIDDING: 

1. Important to know how to Value — Bid and Play hands. 

2. Small slam should be bid only with even chance to win, and especially when Vulnerable 
and adversaries are not Vulnerable. 

3. With both sides Vulnerable—Do Not bid slams unless almost certain to win. 

4. When bidding for Slam give careful consideration to hand values and especially, 

5. Supporting hand must note 1st and 2nd round values—A; A-K; A-Q; K-Q; K-x. 

6. There must be adequate support for bid suit. Distribution very important. 

Voids are powerful—Singletons valuable when holding adequate trump support. 

7. Worthless doubletons and tripletons are a great hazard. 

8. At No Trump combined count required is 35 for small and 38 for grand slam, 
without counting 2 tens, 1 and without extra count for 3 top Honors in 5 card suit. 

9. A small Slam is probable if both hands contain in all about 7.1 HCT. 

10. Only about 20% of small Slams made are biddable—some will be bid and lost. 

11. Slams may follow; (a) Game-Demand Take-out; (b) Opening bid of 2, suit or No 
Trump; (c) Two Club Convention Bid; (d) Opening bid of 3 NT; (e) strength Take¬ 
out of Informative Double; (f) Bidding adversaries suit; (g) Jump Overcall of ad¬ 
verse Opening bid; (h) Game-Demand Rebid. 

PSYCHIC BIDDING: 

1. They are interference or nuisance bids with strength not shown by bid, or with no 
strength at all. They deceive partner as well as opponents. 

2. They are not recommended by Advisory Council—but are used by experts. 

3. Certain losers with novices and even with unpractised good players. 

4. Psychics must always have available a rescue, or rebid, as partner has been deceived. 

5. A Psychic made when Vulnerable is liable to incur tremendous penalty—Best made 
when adversaries are Vulnerable and you are not. 

6. Repeat—Better not bid a psychic unless you are an expert. 


P. 15 



TWO CLUB CONVENTION: 

1. Applies only as original bid. 

2. Conversely, carries ordinary meaning if adversaries or partner have bid. 

3. Also, carries ordinary meaning if bidders score is 60 to 75. 

4. Bid is used when: 

(a) Holding two long strong suits and desire partner’s preference. Requires 8 PT 
if 2 Majors or 8| PT if a Major and a Minor. 

(b) Holding strong NT with one suit unstopped or insecure and desire partner’s 
preference between NT or bidder’s best suit, and want to know if partner has 
stoppers in unsafe suit—Requires count of 21 in No Trump and 8 PT in the suit. 

(c) Holding long strong suit with some outside HC strength and wanting to know 
if partner holds an Ace and King or 2 Aces, in which case, bids Slam. 

5. If adversary interposes a bid, partner may pass or make normal bid. 

6. Responses: 

(a) Partner’s first response, holding an Ace and K, or 2 Aces, is 2 NT. 

(b) Unless with such top honors, one of them heads a 5 card Major (not a Minor); 
then response is two in that Major suit. 

(c) Holding neither of these, bids conventional 2 Diamonds. 

7. Rebids of Two Club Bidder after response of 2 Diamonds: 

(a) When offering choice of Two Suits: 

1st rebid is 2 in best suit—partner responds with conventional 2 NT; 

2nd rebid is 3 in 2nd suit—partner with trickless hand then bids 3 in 1st suit if pre¬ 
ferring that suit; with 1 PT bids 4 in 1st suit if he prefers that suit—Otherwise 
partner bids 4 in 2nd suit. 

(b) When offering choice between No Trump and best suit: 

1st rebid 2NT—partner then bids 3 in Spades, Hearts or Diamonds if suit is strong. 
Otherwise, bids artificial convention of 3 Clubs. 

2nd rebid, if partner shows stoppers in his weakness, is 3 NT. 

2nd rebid, if partner’s response was 3 Clubs, is 3 in his best suit; thus, giving partner 
choice between that suit and No Trump. 

(continued P. 16) 






TWO CLUB CONVENTION: (continued from P. 15) 

8. Rebids of Two Club bidder after response of 2 NT or 2 in Major: 

Rebids Three No Trump or goes on with suit offering partner further choices with 
probability of ultimate Slam declaration. 


JUSTIFIABLE OVERBIDDING: By E. 

F. B.—Scoring effective Nov. 1, 

1932 


(a) When adversaries can make game, 

Their Gain 

Overbid 

To Lose 

but YOU CANNOT: 

if made 


if doubled 

Neither side Vulnerable 

450 or more 

3 

450 

You are VUL.—Thev are Not VUL. 

450 

1 

200 

You are Not VUL.—They are VUL. 

800 

4 

700 

Both sides VUL. 

600 

2 

500 

(b) When you can make game, but 

You Could 

Penalize 

To Make 

THEY CANNOT: 

Gain 

them 


Neither side Vulnerable 

450 or more 

4 

700 

You are VUL.—They are Not VUL. 

800 

5 

1000 

You are Not VUL.—They are VUL. 

450 

3 

900 

Both sides VUL. 

600 

3 

900 

(c) To Prevent a certain Small Slam: 

Their Gain 

Overbid 

To Lose 


if made 


if doubled 

Neither side Vulnerable 

950 or more 

4 

700 

You are VUL.—They are Not VUL. 

950 

2 

500 

You are Not VUL.—They are VUL. 

1550 

5 

1000 

Both sides VUL. 

1350 

3 

900 

(d) To Prevent probable Grand Slam: 

Their Gain 

Overbid 

To Lose 


if made 


if doubled 

Neither side Vulnerable 

1950 or more 

5 

1000 

You are VUL.—They are Not VUL. 

1950 

3 

900 

You are Not VUL.—They are VUL. 

3050 

4 

1400 

Both sides VUL. 

2850 ” 

4 

1400 





FORGING TWO BID: Optional as advocated by CULBERTSON— 

Make opening bid of Two holding, 

1. HCT showing 8 PT with either Major as trumps; or 

9 PT if there is a choice between a Major and a Minor, or 

2. 6 \ HCT if there is a possibility of the final contract being 3 NT. 

Note—exception, 

Such as 6 or 7 card two suitors may be bid with A-K or A-Q only as tops of 
such suits. 

RESPONSES—FORGING BID OF TWO: 

1. May raise suit bid with adequate support plus 1 HCT. Bid full strength in 
support. 

With 2\ to 3 HCT raise to 5—Slam invitation. 

With 3^ to 4 HCT bid the Slam. 

2. Without adequate support for suit bid should take-out with any biddable 5 card 
suit if holding at least 1 HCT. Make a minimum take-out. 

3. Lacking adequate trump support and biddable 5 card suit take-out with 3 NT, 
if holding H HCT. 

4. With a bust, viz., less than 1 HCT, take-out with 2 NT, even if holding adequate 
support for suit bid. 

SUBSEQUENT BIDDING: 

Opening bidder may—1. Assist the take-out, or 

2. Rebid own suit, or 

3. Show another suit, or 

4. Make minimum No Trump response. 

Note—Bidding must absolutely continue until game bid is reached. 






EFFECT OF FORCING BID OF TWO ON THE OPENING BID OF ONE: 

(1) Responding hand: 

(a) Holding less than a sound assist, take-out or denial, should keep bidding open 
when holding approximately 1 PT. 

(b) With adequate support, keep bidding open with about \ PT. plus. 

(2) Raised requirements for opening bid of One: 

(a) Opening bidder must hold at least £ PT. outside of bid suit. 

(b) Must remember that partner may have kept bidding open on low minimums, 
but should rebid his suit with as low as 4| PT, following No Trump take-out 
of his opening bid of One. 

(c) Opening bidder with 2 rebids, should not bid full holding on second bid. 

(3) Responding hand: 

If first assist was sound, should again assist after rebid by opening bidder. 


ONE-OVER-ONE CONVENTIONS: 

I. Non-forcing—Advocated by Culbertson: 

Means that a bid of one in a higher ranking suit is an urgent invitation for partner 
to bid again, and that such response denies holding of unusual strength, such as 
would be indicated by the Jump-Shift bid. Partner not compelled to bid on insuf¬ 
ficient holdings. 

II. Forcing One-Over-One Convention used with Forcing Two Bid: 

Definitions— 

In absence of adverse bids, any and each succeeding suit bid of 1 is forcing. 

Note—Convention cannot function if opening bid is 1 Spade; nor is any response of 
2 a forcing bid. 

(1) One-Over-One used with forcing Two Bid: 

(a) Opening bidder must hold 4| PT of which must be quick tricks, and must 
have rebid possibility in hand. 

(b) Minimum response requirements are: 

(1) Give One-Over-One response with biddable 4 card suit if hand contains 
2 HCT. 

(2) With biddable 5 card suit if holding 1 HCT. 

(3) With suit of 6 or more cards if holding about 1 HCT. 

(c) Opening bidder’s minimum responses to One-Over-One take-out—in order of 
their importance: 

(1) Name 2nd biddable suit even though hand contains no more strength than 
indicated by original bid. 

If this is a One-Over-One response, further rebid by partner is demanded. 
If not, it is strong invitational inference. 

(2) Support a Major take-out—Fair invitational inference unless jumped; 
then it is strong—Give full extent of raises. 

(continued P. 20) 




P. 20 


ONE-OVER-ONE CONVENTIONS: (continued from P. 19) 

(3) Rebid suit as strong as A-Q and 3, K-Q and 3, K-J-10 and 2, or A-J-10 
and 2. 

Mildly invitational inference unless jumped—then it is very strong. 

(4) Support Minor take-out. 

Mildly invitational inference unless jumped. 

(5) Bid 1 No Trump to indicate hand lacking any of above possibilities and 
denying additional strength. 

Such is the “Sign-Off” signal. 

(d) Opening bidders strength responses to One-Over-One take-out: 

(1) Make Jump-Shift rebid holding £ to 1 PT less than would be required for 
opening forcing bid of 2. 

This is a game-demand. 

(2) With NT count of 18 and double stoppers in 2 unbid suits, bid 2 NT. 

III. Forcing One-Over-One Convention used with Intermediate Two Bid—same 
as when used with Forcing Two Bid except: 

(1) Not necessary to strengthen opening bid beyond recommended require¬ 
ments of Official System. 

(2) Not necessary to give One-Over-One response without sound minimum 
take-out values. 

(3) Responding hand may shade 4 card suit bids because a rebid is guaranteed. 
Note—Thus light responses are eliminated, partnership morale is built up and mis¬ 
understandings reduced to a minimum. 


19-20 

21-22 

23-24 


25-26 


P. 21 


LEADS AGAINST NO TRUMP, PARTNER NOT HAVING BID: 

(a) Open 4th best of longest suit, Unless holding three or more honors, two of which 
are in sequence, then nearly always lead the highest of the Touching Honors. 
Order of preference for blind leads is as follows: 


1. Ace— 

2. King— 

3. Queen— 

4. Jack— 

5. Ten— 


from 6 or more headed by A-K-Q; 7 or more with A-K with probable 
re-entry; without probable re-entry 4th best; 8 or more with A-K; 
8 or more with A-Q-J, with a re-entry—without a re-entry lead the Q. 

from A-K-Q-x or x-x; A-K-J-x or more; K-Q-J-x or more; 
K-Q-10-x-x or more; K-Q-10-9 or more. 

from A-Q-J-x or more; Q-J-10-x or more. 

from A-J-10-x or more; K-J-10-x or more; J-lO-9-x or more. 

from A-lO-9-x or more; K-lO-9-x or more; Q-lO-9-x or more; 
10-9-8-x or more. 


6. Fourth best—from 4 or more card suit not headed by any of the above honor 
combinations. 


Short Suit Leads: 

Are frequently better if leader’s long suits have been bid by opponents and short 
suit has not been mentioned. 

Perhaps leader’s partner will hold length and strength in such suit. 



LEADS AGAINST A SUIT BID, PARTNER NOT HAVING BID: 

I. Good Leads—The Sequence Leads: 

K from A-K-Q or more; A-K-x or more; K-Q-J or more; K-Q-10-x or more. 

Q from Q-J-10-x or more. 

J from J-lO-9-x or more. 

Exceptions to Sequence leads are: 

Lead small from Q-J-x-x or more—J-10-x-x or more. 

II. Indifferent leads are: 

4th best from any 4 or more card suits not headed by an Ace, King or tenace, such as 
J-10-x-x; Q-x-x-x; J-x-x-x; or x-x-x-x. 

III. Poor Leads, in order of their preference are: 

(1) K from K-Q-x- or more; (2) Q from Q—J—9; (3) J from J-l0-8; (4) Ten from 
K-10-9 or Q-10-9; (5) Low doubleton; (6) 4th best from K-x-x-x; (7) 3rd best 
from K-x-x; Q-x-x; or J-x-x; (8) Ace from Ace and others; (9) Top of a low card 
tripleton. 

IV. Bad Opening Leads are: 

Singleton King, Queen or Jack. 

Also a card of any suit headed by a high tenace (like A-Q; A-J-10; K-J-10; K-J) 

V. Lead of a Short Suit, Singleton or Doubleton: 

Lead of short suit is poor because (a) it is apt to jeopardize an honor in partner’s hand 
and (b) may set up a long suit for opponents. 

Important —Short suits should rarely be led when holding 4 or more trumps. 

VI. Lead of a Trump: (Usually a losing lead) 

Lead a trump only when (a) holding only tenace suits which should be protected, 
(b) with normal distribution and killing cards in other 3 suits, (c) when high contract 
has been reached and both opponents have shown length in trumps, (d) when each 
adversary has bid a suit and final declaration is a compromise—which may result 
in a cross-ruff situation. 


P. 22 


21-22 

23-24 


25-26 



LEADS AGAINST NO TRUMP, PARTNER HAVING BID: 

1. Generally best to open partner’s suit. (See No. 6 below) 

2. Lead a Singleton in partner’s suit. 

3. Lead higher of doubleton in partner’s suit. 

4. Tripleton Leads: 

(a) holding 3 headed by ten or smaller, lead the top. 

(b) holding A-x-x; K-x-x or Q-x-x, lead the lowest. 

(c) holding 2 honors in sequence and one or more, lead the higher of the 2 honors. 

(d) holding J-x-x—makes little difference whether lead be highest or lowest. 

5. Lead of 4th best of Partner’s suit: 

Holding 4 or more of partner’s suit lead 4th best unless suit is headed by 
honors in sequence; then lead the top. 

Important Exception —to leading 4th best or 3rd best from an honor of partner’s 
suit is when Declarer’s No Trump bid has been assisted—Then lead highest 
in partner’s suit, as this will probably be a lead through dummies strength. 

6. Opening Own Suit Justified: 

(a) When it may be set up in one round, and when holding in addition a sure 
or very probably re-entry card, or 

(b) When you can surely say, “Partner, regardless, mine is the better suit to 
establish”. 


LEADS AGAINST A SUIT BID, PARTNER HAVING BID: 

Open Partners suit as Follows: 

1. Holding 4 or more cards (without Ace or touching honors) Lead 4th best. 

2. Holding Ace, without King, (any number of cards) lead the Ace. 

3. Holding touching honors (any number) lead top, except with A-K, lead the King. 

4. Holding A-K alone of another suit, lead the Ace, then the King, and then open 
partner’s suit. 

5. Holding side suit headed by A-K or K-Q-J, lead the King of such suit, then 
lead partner’s suit. 

6. When Partner has Bid No Trump: 

(a) Leader may lead away from a King. 

(b) May lead an unsupported honor. 

(c) May lead a doubleton. 

(d) Lacking a good opening, an Ace or King may be underled if suit is one of 
not more than 4 cards. 

(e) May violate many prohibitions against blind openings on assumption that 
partner holds at least 1 honor in each side suit. 


P. 24 


23-24 


25-26 




P. 25 THE CODE OF THE DEFENSE—UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE'OF WHIST: 

1. Lead of the 4th best and the Rule of Eleven: When 1st player leads his 
4th best, the denomination of the card led substracted from 11 gives as a re¬ 
mainder the number of cards higher than the card led that are held in the other 
three hands. 

2. The Encouraging Card played by partner of leader is apparently one higher 
than necessary, usually a 7 or better, and invites him to continue leading the 
suit. 

3. The Discouraging Card played by partner of leader is lowest held in the suit 
and tells partner that he can take no tricks in that suit. 

4. The Echo, or Hi-Lo is the play of a higher card in the suit led followed by play 
of a lower card; at No Trump, simply shows strength or length in that suit; 
at Suit may indicate shortness and ability to ruff next lead. 

5. Play the lower of Touching Honors when following suit to a lead of a higher 
honor in that suit. Partner than knows you have the intermediate honor. 

6. Signalling with Discards: 

(a) The Weakness Discard play lowest you have and continue to play lowest. 
It tells partner that the suit is worthless and at the same time prevents 
weakening a strong suit to be protected. 

(b) The Strength Discard same as the encouraging card when following suit, 
usually a 7 or better. This tells partner to lead that suit at first opportunity. 

7. Rule of Eight —always remember that the average HCT strength in all hands 
is about 8 in every deal. 





■ 






SCORING: Effective November 1, 1932. 

ODD TRICKS BID AND WON: Undoubled Doubled Redoubled 


Clubs or Diamonds each 

Hearts or Spades, each.. . 

No Trump: 

1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th. 

2nd, 4th and 6th.. 


20 40 

30 60 

30 60 

40 80 

80 

120 

120 

160 



Not 

Vulnerable 

Vulnerable 


OVERTRICKS: 

Undoub. 

Doub. Redoub. 

Undoub. Doub. 

Redoub. 

Each..... 


100 200 

Tr. Value 200 

400 

SLAMS BID AND WON: 

Not Vulnerable 

Vulnerable 


Little. 


500 

750 


Grand. 


1,500 

2,250 


RUBBER, Two game. 

.700 

HONORS IN ONE HAND: 


Three game. 

..500 

All honors. 


.150 

Unfinished, One game. 

.300 

Four trump honors. 

.100 


P. 26 


PENALTIES FOR 
UNDERTRICKS: 

One trick down. 

Two tricks down... 

Three tricks down. 

Four tricks down. 

Five tricks down... 

Six tricks down.__. 

Seven tricks down. 

Increase similarly each successive undertrick. 



Not Vulner. 

Not Vulner. 



Doubled & 

Redoubled & 

Not Vul. 

Vulnerable 

Vulnerable 

Vulnerab 

Undoub. 

Undoub. 

Doub. 

Redoub. 

50 (x2 ) — 

100 (x2) = 

200 (x2) 

— 400 

100 (x2i) = 

250 (x2) — 

500 (x2) 

— 1000 

150 (x3 ) — 

450 (x2) — 

900 (x2) 

— 1800 

200 (x3|) — 

700 (x2) — 

1400 (x2) 

— 2800 

250 (x4 ) — 

1000 (x2) = 

2000 (x2) 

— 4000 

300 (x4J) — 

1350 (x2) — 

2700 (x2) 

— 5400 

350 (x5 ) — 

1750 (x2) = 

3500 (x2) 

— 7000 


25-26 



























Patent Pending on Mechanical Arrangement 












B 

RA 

Y 0 

p 

CONG 

RESS 




111 





0 027 133 139 3 


to 
























